The OrCam device is a smart camera that sits on the user’s glasses and reads text aloud to people who are visually impaired or blind.

While the OrCam device is not exactly “glasses for blind person”, it definitely looks that way. The device is so small and discreet, it is barely noticeable.  Besides its compact size, there are many amazing OrCam features that make the device unique and accessible.  

OrCam MyEye is an intuitive wearable device with a smart camera that clips onto a regular pair of glasses and is able to 'read' text and convert it into speech relaying the message to the user. The device is activated by a simple intuitive gesture – pointing your finger or pressing a single button. Using OCR - optical character reading - technology, the device can read printed materials on almost any surface such as newspapers, books, computer screens, menus and more. ​

Many people who are visually impaired or blind have to carry around a heavy magnifying glass to read text. The OrCam MyEye is small and light and simply attaches to the right side of the user’s glasses frame. The camera weighs ¾ of an ounce and has a thin wire, easily hidden behind the ear, which connects to the base unit or “brain” of the device. The base unit is about the size of a cellphone and can easily sit in one’s pocket or on a belt strap.  

“You are what you wear.” Wearable technologies have grown tremendously in the past few years. Smart electronic devices that can be worn on the body are practical and discreet. The OrCam is no exception. Although they are not exactly glasses for the blind person, the device sits on the individual’s glasses frame and is so discreet that it can barely be seen by others allowing the user to fit in with the crowd.

Unlike other OCR technologies, the OrCam does not require a scanner connected to a computer or internet connection. All the information stored in the device is private and only accessible to the user. ​

For people who are visually impaired or blind and have conditions that cannot be corrected by glasses or surgery, the OrCam MyEye can be life-changing.

​Who would have thought that this little camera situated on a pair of glasses could help people who are blind or visually impaired regain their independence?

Video transcript available here.

​We've all seen the News of the futuristic technology coming out, such as the new cochlear implant that has no external parts, sign language translation programs, and cool animated interactive sign language.

But what about those people that these technologies cannot help, or for those who don't want to be "fixed"? 

If you ask me, researchers should also include adaptive technology for these people as well.

So here are my ideas for adaptive technology that we'd really need and want:

1. Text Based Technology

We need better speech to text technology! One that will work with any speaker and accents and a higher rate of accuracy. Yes there are a lot of programs and Apps out there, but I'm talking about something that doesn't require pre-programming to the speaker beforehand and one that actually WORKS!

Need an example? Turn on "automatic captioning" on pretty much any YouTube video and you'll see what I mean. WTH right??

​2. Access for the Deafblind

Sure the animated sign language is awesome, and who knows maybe someday there'll be holographic interpreters than can beam into a meeting and interpret right there. But what about those who cannot see and depend on tactile sign language?

​Sure there's the face-to-face texting capability of text to braille and vice versa; or the Lorm glove that vibrates out the alphabet on the Deafblind person's hand. There's several problems with these:

• Many Deafblind are accustomed to ASL because the majority of them were Deaf first and became blind later. So ASL is their preferred method and much better to understand.
• Very few Deafblind know the Lorm Alphabet so you're asking them to learn ANOTHER language (after many had to learn Braille as well).
• It's time consuming - Waiting for the texts to relay back and forth, or spelling out each word on the glove (akin to listening to morse code).

So PLEASE come up with something that's more tactile and sign language based!!

​3. Improved GPS Systems

Sure there's tons of GPS Apps and gadgets out there and even newer Apps that are mapping indoor spaces for Blind/Deafblind people, which is great, but they need improvement.

But we all know they aren't specific and sometimes are wrong. Even my home address is displayed wrong by 50 feet! So when trying to "Find a Friend" you can be at their location but still be 25 feet away! This isn't helpful for Deafblind people trying to find a location or a friend (I can't even see past 6 feet let alone 25 feet).

4. Just stick to what works!

Instead of trying to invent gadgets and technology to help YOU (the general public) why don't you try and help US?

• Stop trying to invent sign language translation programs and just go LEARN Sign Language!
• Stop inventing ways for us to hear (like the stupid tongue hearing aid) and LEARN Sign Language!
• Stop inventing off-site interpreting gadgets like VRI and invest more into interpreting programs!

So, are there any technologies you'd wish there was? Let me know!

It's Day 3 of #SaveYourVisionWeek....

Did you know that many causes of Vision loss & blindness go undetected until it's too late? Many of these have no symptoms until it's too late. Diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, cataracts Retinitis Pigmentosa, and age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

This is why an annual eye exam is important.

I don't mean the easy one that checks your glasses prescription. Sit in a chair, cover one eye and spout off letters off the chat "E...F...P...T..." and then you're on your way. 

I mean a comprehensive one that takes up to an hour or more (depending on your doctor). Where they run tests for acuity, color blindness, cover test (testing how each eye works alone),  eye movement, depth perception, glacoma, and visual field (for peripheral vision). They'll also use different methods to examine the inner eye with cameras and magnifiers.

You're probably thinking "I don't have time for that and besides I have 20/20 vision". Well let me tell you about the diseases I mentioned above:

​Diabetic Retinopathy: This is damage to the retina of the eye caused by diabetes and usually goes undetected until it's too severe to correct. Diabetes monitoring, health checks and eye exams can help prevent it or stop it in it's early stages.

Glaucoma: This causes damage to the optic nerve that carries information from the eye to the brain. Glaucoma usually has few or no initial symptoms. It causes loss of peripheral vision and even blindness if left untreated.

Cataracts: This is the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40 and is the major cause of blindness in the world. It's basically a clouding of the eye lens that help focus light onto the retina.  In the early stages one can just get stronger glasses, bifocals and such. In the later stages when cataracts are really impairing your vision, surgery is a successful option.

Retinitis Pigmentosa:​ This is a rare degenerative disease where the retina slowly degenerates over time causing blindness. The first symptoms of RP are difficulty seeing at night and in later stages only a small area of central vision remains. There's no way to predict how fast it will progress or the amount of vision lost, but early detection can help you prepare for the future.

Age-related Macular Degeneration: This is the leading cause of vision loss among people age 50 and older. It causes damage to the macula, a small spot near the center of the retina and destroys central vision. Even though AMD doesn't cause complete blindness, it does interfere with everyday activities. AMD has few symptoms in the early stages, so it's important for annual eye exams, in the late stages there is irreversible damage to central vision.

It's Day Two of Save Your Vision week.

Preventing Eye Strain

In today's technological world, we can barely get away from a computer, smartphone or TV screen. We stare at a screen all day at work, then arrive home to stare some more.  You've probably experienced eye strain at least once these days. Symptoms usually are:

• Tired eyes
• Headaches
• Blurry vision
• Dry eyes
• Double vision

Although there's no permanent damage from eye strain, it is energy draining and well, a pain to have.

Here are some tips on preventing eye strain:

• Wear current Prescription glasses or the correct magnifying glasses. You can even get glasses specifically for computer viewing.
• Use proper lighting. Too bright or too dark lighting can cause eye strain by being brighter or darker than the screen you are looking at.
• Use a glare screen for your monitor or smartphone.
• Take plenty of breaks, use the 20-20-20 rule - stop to look at something else 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes. Also just take more breaks and walk away for a few minutes as well.

These tips should help reduce eye strain and headaches. If they persist, please follow up with your doctor to check for any other causes.

This week from March 5-11th is Save Your Vision Week. So all week I will feature post on different ways you can save your vision.

Today I'm focusing on eye safety at work.

Did you know that there are more than 27,000 eye injuries at work every year? 

Common causes of eye injuries:

• Flying objects (wood, metal, glass)
• Tools
• Particles (dust, grindings)
• Chemical burns
• Combinations of these or other instances

Things to do to prevent an eye injury:

• Be sure you have your eyes checked yearly. Uncorrected vision can cause accidents
• Know the eye safety dangers at work and follow the safety rules.
• Eliminate hazards before starting. Use machine guards, work screens, or other safety controls
• Use proper eye protection for that particular job. (goggles, face shield, welding mask, etc)

Even though most of these injuries only required 1 or 2 days away from work, in about 10 - 20% of these injuries caused temporary or permanent blindness.

So if most of these injuries are preventable and no one wants to lose their vision which in turn may lose the job.  Exercise common sense and follow the safety rules.